lordturns

That is a good one! Also the numbnuts at work said that the LS400 was made in Derbyshire. I have always known they were manufactured in Japan with the only factory abroad being one in Ontario that started production of the RX330 in 2003/2004. Anyway, he drives a Corsa 'nuff said.

Hi, whilst my lexus was in receipt of a thorough dressing down by a work colleague and me being accused of becoming a snob, we got onto the meaning of the word 'LEXUS'. The aforementioned gentleman says that it means 'Luxury Export to the United States' and that is why Toyota named it so (although Lexus in Austrailia supposedly coined this term). I did some research myself on the internet and it would appear that there is just popular belief and myth about what it really means with some even suggesting it was derived from 'Alexis' from Dynasty as Japan at the time sent a team over to research into wealthy Americans in the 80's and others saying it simply means 'Luxury and Elegance' which makes more sense. Any ideas anybody?

Hi Iain, I cannot believe how little I paid for it and yes everything works as it should. There are a few very minor jobs that need taking care of and at the moment I am giving her a thorough interior clean as it does not look like it has been done in ages (I am a fusspot though with my cars). Thanks for your kind comments, they also reflect the general attitude of people on here which is one of being friendly and helpful with pretty much all matters Lexus. There are things on the LS that make me chuckle - the electric steering wheel that greets you, the illuminated seatbelt buckles and ignition barrel plus a new discovery today of a tiny sunvisor above the rear view mirror that fills the gap! so many refinements. The leather is so sumptuous and REALLY thick proper hide unlike the stuff on my fathers brand new Mercedes E350CDI - pah, you can see where they have cut costs.....think my dad is secretly jealous :outforcount: Smooth+LS400=happy chappy

Thanks to everyone so far - this really is a friendly forum....looking forward to sharing knowledge, hints and tips. :outforcount:

Hi Steve - I found her (why are cars always female?) on autotrader and it was a private sale - I will certainly post some pictures when the weather improves and I have had a chance to clean and fettle all that lovely metal....happy days

Thanks Mark - I'd done quite a bit of reading on these and one owner said he had bought an LS400 brand new in 1997 and still owns it today having covered 324,000 trouble free miles. He didn't have the faintest what to buy next as nothing else comes close to the refinement and quality.

Thanks Graham, funnily enough I am going out for a spin this afternoon! 'any excuse' :outforcount:

Hi everyone, I have just bought an LS400 with around 65k on the clock and a full history - in blue with grey leather. Drove it all the way back from Annan (1 hour south of Glasgow) to Spalding and I have to say it was sublime - I could not believe how smooth and quiet it was. My first Japanese car ever and I come from a BMW background - it blows the BMW away completely and I am looking forward to a long term relationship with her. Jeremy.